Bad Reputation - Shawn Mendes

7 - He Remembers

Eleanor.

Finally, my first week of college has ended. More work has piled up now, and it's even more stressful than i thought it would be. I get in my car and drive back to the dorms, ready to hit the bed. I know that Aaliyah won't be back so soon since she's going to the beach with her friends. She tried to convince me to go a few times prior, but I always came up with some sort of excuse and after awhile she got the memo that i really didn't want to go.

I open up my room door and i see Shawn sitting at the foot of Aaliyah's bed. "Shawn?" I say before setting my stuff down. "Hey Elle." He greets me with a smile, which was very cute. "I don't think Aaliyah will be back so soon." I inform him. "Oh, I'm actually here to take you out. If you don't have any plans already? If you do then that's fine." He rambles. "I'm free." I cut him off and he smiles even wider. "Great, no pressure, okay?" He says and i laugh at how thoughtful he's being. "Where to?" I ask excitedly, i guess the half of me that wants to go out with him is winning. "Well, i was thinking of bringing you to one of my personal favourite restaurants. We would just eat and chill. And maybe walk around the park if you'd like?" "Sounds lovely. Can i change before we go?" I ask, seeing how he's in a short sleeved button up shirt and jeans while I'm wearing sweatpants and a graphic tee, clearly unprepared.

"Oh okay, do you need me to leave? Of course you do. I'll wait for you in my car, it's a black Range Rover parked near the exit." He says before standing up and walking towards the door. Shawn is such a considerate person, how could one not like him? "Thank you Shawn, see you in a bit." I grinned and he leaves.

Shit, now I'm freaking out, i have nothing to wear. Why did i agree to hang out with Shawn? But there's no going back now, Shawn's waiting for me in the car, and i don't want him to wait for long. I hurriedly search through my cupboard and pick out a blue and white checkered dress that was tight on the top, and flowy at the bottom. I also put on a white cardigan over, since the dress was a spaghetti strap and i was afraid it would get cold. I quickly applied some light makeup, and some accessories to elevate the look. I'm pretty sure this isn't a date, but it's my first time hanging out with a guy, and not to mention he's a celebrity which is why I'm nervous as heck.

I transferred my important stuff from my bag pack into a purse, wore my white converse and headed out. I look around the carpark, near the exit and immediately spot the black Range Rover. "Sorry if you had to wait long." I say after opening the car door. "It's okay, I'm the one who asked you out of the blue." He says while rubbing the back of his neck. I don't know if he's as nervous as me but my palms are sweating profusely. I quickly buckle my seatbelt and Shawn drives off.

"So how's college?" Shawn starts the conversation off. "Not as amazing as I thought it would be." I confess and chuckle. "Hopefully this would make it better." He says while turning to face me. "Watch the road." I joke and he laughs. "Is Elle short for anything?" "Eleanor." "Well Eleanor, you look amazing, not that you were ugly before." He rambles again and my cheeks heat up. "You look dashing yourself." I compliment and he thanks me. The radio announces that the next song to be played is one of Shawn's song, treat you better, and he immediately lowers the volume. "Hey, i like this song." I tease and he laughs. "I don't really like this guy though." "He seems like a cool person to me." I say while facing him, and he raises his eyebrows. Shawn turns up the volume again and we jam to his song. Occasionally, i would stare at him singing his heart out. How could i not? When he sang so passionately and his voice sounding amazing.

As the song ends, Shawn pulls up to a Mexican restaurant filled with colourful decorations. "I hope you like Mexican." He mutters. "I do." I reply and unbuckle my seat belt. "Wait, let me get the door for you." He says before rushing out and jogging over to the other side of the car. "Here you go Miss." He says after opening the door and pretending to courtesy, which was very chivalrous of him. "Thank you kind sir." I respond after hopping out of the car. We walk in the restaurant together and a waitress shows us to our table.

"Good evening, my name's Mia and I'll be your server for tonight. What drinks can i get you guys started with?" She asks while passing us the menus. "I'll get a coke." Shawn replies and looks at me. "Me too." I say nervously. "Okay 2 cokes coming right up, let me know when you're ready to order." Mia says before leaving and Shawn nods. "The food here is amazing." Shawn says while rolling his eyes up to express how good it is. "It looks and smells amazing." I add and he smiles.

"What are you going to get?" Shawn asks while scanning the menu. "I'm not sure, you?" "I think I'm gonna get the fish tacos." He replies. I hesitate a little before answering, "I think I'll get the spicy chicken burrito bowl." "Okay, do you want to share a side of nachos? If you don't want to, that's okay." He says while running his hands through his hair. "I love nachos." I say and he smiles.

Mia comes over with our drinks and Shawn orders the food for us. "Tell me more about yourself Elle." He says before taking a sip. "Is this an interview?" I joke and he chuckles. "I just want to get to know you." "There's not much to know but i live in Pickering with my dad. My mom passed away while giving birth to me." "So sorry." Shawn apologises. "It's okay, my dad says i was a blessing to them." I say and he nods. "After graduating from high school, i worked at Tim's for 2 years so that i could afford going to college. Which is why I'm 2 years older than Aaliyah." I add and he chokes on his drink. "You worked at Tim Horton's? The cafe?" Shawn says with his eyes widened. "Y-yeah." I reply. "No wonder you look so familiar! I went there once to get coffee but was spotted and had to rush out." He says and I'm shocked, he remembers that? "Yeah, that was me serving you. It was my first day of work." "Did you really not know who i was?" He asks as the food arrives. We both thank Mia before continuing with our conversation. "Nope, not a single clue." I say as i scoop up the food. "Wow, it really is good." I add after taking a bite. "I told you." Shawn smirks and i laugh.

I'm really glad i decided to hang out Shawn today. Although my plan of laying down in bed and watching Netflix was put on hold, this was much better, like Shawn had said. All my nerves went away as soon as we started talking, it just makes me feel like we've known each other forever.